Charge Upgraded Against Road Rage Suspect After Pontchatoula Teen Dies

Closed handcuffs on the street pavement at night with police car lights high contrast image

Photo: Dmytro Skrypnykov / iStock / Getty Images

Charges are upgraded against a man accused of shooting a pregnant teen in a weekend road-rage incident, since his victim has died.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office announced on Tuesday that Barry West is now charged with second-degree murder.

West reportedly fired a shot at an SUV on Sunday morning from his pickup truck. The shot wounded 17-year-old Katelynn Strate of Ponchatoula in the head.

Strate, who was seven months pregnant, was taken off life support on Tuesday. Her baby was delivered by C-section.

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